No big problems for Zenit SAINT PETERSBURG against Vojvodina NS Seme NOVI SAD
Report
The Russian powerhouse of Zenit SAINT PETERSBURG seized their second victory in Pool D of the CLVolleyM. On Wednesday, the players around head coach Tuomas Sammelvuo proved better than the underdogs from Vojvodina NS Seme NOVI SAD. However, to Voijvodina’s credit, they showed fighting spirit, especially in the third set.
Thanks to the straight-sets victory, Zenit SAINT PETERSBURG are currently topping the charts in Pool D, as in the other match of the day in the group, BERLIN Recycling Volleys outclassed Sport LISBOA e Benfica at 3-1.
Many CLVolleyM fans from across Serbia enjoyed the game live in SPC Vojvodina NOVI SAD - Big Hall. Even though their favourities from the young team of Novi Sad lost couldn't take a set, the spectators could witness some great rallies. The night was memorable also for some young players from the home squad - Uros Miškovic, Milan Zecevc and Nikola Vujovic, who play their first season with the senior team and had their first CLVolleyM match on home court. The home team could count on Andrija Vilimanović, setter of Vojvodina, as well, who played his first match after injury.
Vojvodina started well in the match, taking the lead in the beginning, but after the 10th point, the players of Zenit took control over what was happening on the court. Slightly better on the winning spikes (16 to 14), Zenit opened in their favour. The Russian squad then stormed out in the second set, making it difficult for their opponents’ reception, and with as many as four aces and three kill blocks, disappointed the hosts. Vojvodina put up some real fight in the third set, starting better, but as the set was unfolding, Zenit started breathing down their opponents' necks. Zenit’s setter, Igor Kobzar turned definitively things around with his serve after the 15th point. Vojvodina, on the other hand, suffered from their own mistakes.
Overall, the guests proved better on all counts, finishing with 63% efficiency on the winning spikes, 11 aces and eight kill blocks.
Victor Poletaev with 13 points to his name was named MVP of the match. Bulgarian rising star Radoslav Parapunov became top scorer of the match, hammering as many as 17 points.
Tuomas SAMMELVUO“Today, we served very well, with very few mistakes and a lot of aces. We played a good middle part of the game. Then, as it happens many times, when you win the second set so easily, the beginning of the third set is very dangerous, but we are happy that we came back. We move game by game, our focus now is on our next game in the Russian Super League, then the Russian Cup. In January, we will think again about CL. We want the first place in the group, but it won’t be easy.”
Head coach of Zenit SAINT PETERSBURG
Slobodan BOŠKAN“Our opponents deserved the 3-0 win. We were competitive only in the first and in the third set. We realized in the third set that we can play against them for real. It is very good experience for us, congratulations to Zenit for the win.”
Head coach of Vojvodina NS Seme NOVI SAD